Mission: The mission of the Mountain High Hikers is to promote and facilitate hiking activities in the Southern Appalachian area and encourage involvement in the maintenance of trails and conservation of forest environments.

Origination: Mountain High Hikers originated from a course entitled “Hiking in the Blue Ridge” at the Institute for Continuing Learning, at Young Harris College in the winter of 1993. 28 folks attended the course, and that small group expanded throughout the years to over 185 members. Most members live in Towns, Union, and Fannin counties in Georgia, and Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina. Most are full time residents, but some only come up for a few weeks a year.

Hiking: Mountain High Hikers sponsors several hikes every week to accommodate a variance in hiking skills. Prospective members and guests are invited to hike with us. Guidelines allow for 3 guest hikes before joining. Prospective members should attend a short hike first to determine which hiking level will work best. For further information, please review the Hiking Guidelines and Hike Calendar on this website.

Maintenance: Club members are very active in trail maintenance. Each month work trips are scheduled in both NC and GA. The club has been instrumental in the reopening of Chunky Gal Trail, open and blazing a new trail to Boteler Peak, and is working presently to get the entire Fires Creek trail system reopened. The club also maintains all of the trails leading to Brasstown Bald, Helton Creek Falls, High Shoals Falls, Cooper’s Creek Trails, and the Miller Trek at Brasstown Resort.

Special Events: The club has quarterly combined business meetings and potluck dinners. Specialty events are also periodically planned. We are one of the largest hiking clubs attending Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Great Smoky Mountains each January, usually with over 40 members in attendance. The club has also organized hiking trips to Virginia, Mt. Mitchell, Yosemite, and the Swiss Alps.

In Summary: Come play, hike, and trail maintain with us!

Hike SafelyYou are responsible for yourself,
so be prepared:

1. With knowledge and gear. Become self
reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather, and your
equipment before you start.

2. To leave your plans. Tell someone the trails
you are hiking, the gear you are taking, when you will return, and your emergency
plans.

3. To stay together. When youstart as a group,
hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.

4. To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the
mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know
your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there
another day.

5. For emergencies, even if you are headed out for
just an hour. An injury, severe weather, or a wrong turn could become lifethreatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.

6. To share the hiker code with others.

Hike Safely: It’s Your Responsibility.The Hiker Responsibility Code was
developed and is endorsed by the White Mountain National Forest and New
Hampshire Fish and Game.

Join in the fun at Vogel State Park
for the annual celebration of National Trails Day!Activities will include trail work in Georgia’s
favorite state park and on USFS land nearby, family
friendly hikes, an invasive plant eradication project, a
covered dish luncheon, and a brief program.Members of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
(GATC), the Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA),
Mountain High Hikers (MHH), and Georgia Forest Watch
(GFW) will join forces to host this event.National Trails Day was started in 1993 by the
National Hiking Society as an annual event to emphasize
the importance of the National Trails System and to
encourage trail use, stewardship, and outdoor
recreation.

Please come prepared for your
activity of choice:work gloves, sturdy shoes of boots, water, snack,
etc.; plan ahead to keep hot food hot or cold food cold
for safety prior to the meal; and bring a folding chair
or two as seating may be limited during the luncheon.